Agency Politics....

[Dougie800]

Not enough of a clue, give me a number (on the table). What you are describing almost never happens. The most likely scenario is that the agency were properly shafting you from the start, and rather than risk a commission they agreed to up your rate. Just enough to chuck you a bone, and make you think they were doing you a favour.

If they are shafting me, do they not think that I will either ask the client directly or even speak to other contractors on site? They said they spoke to the guy that interviewed me and he agreed to the small increase...would the agency actually be this dishonest even if they thought I would find out?

[adubya]

Confessions of an Agent – How to Take More of a Contractors MoneyUK Contractors I Contracting News & Advice | UK Contractors I Contracting News & Advice

[WTFH]

would the agency actually be this dishonest even if they thought I would find out?

Yes. Because what are you going to do about it?

[Dougie800]

Yes. Because what are you going to do about it?

I have already been invited for coffee by the agency...I presume they want to retain me or use me for leads and information. Also...not to brag but my interview was so strong that the hiring manager cancelled 2 other interviews on the strength of my interview and the fact that id be a great fit fir the team. Why would the agency want to risk losing me and annoying the client?

[Milkyway]

I have already been invited for coffee by the agency...I presume they want to retain me or use me for leads and information. Also...not to brag but my interview was so strong that the hiring manager cancelled 2 other interviews on the strength of my interview and the fact that id be a great fit fir the team. Why would the agency want to risk losing me and annoying the client?

Aside all this coffee business please do get your contract reviewed by QDOS or other professional reviewers for IR35 before you sign the thing.

If it turns out to be inside IR35 and you don't get it negotiated to being it outside and agreed on your ir35 compliant working practices, all your expenses will not be allowed right from the start (new rules), including your rental costs... which could be huge part, not to mention the travel and susbsitance costs you will incur, working away from home.

Get it reviewed first. Don't get carried away with the coffee, you being the strong candidate, etc.

[Dougie800]

Aside all this coffee business please do get your contract reviewed by QDOS or other professional reviewers for IR35 before you sign the thing.

If it turns out to be inside IR35 and you don't get it negotiated to being it outside and agreed on your ir35 compliant working practices, all your expenses will not be allowed right from the start (new rules), including your rental costs... which could be huge part, not to mention the travel and susbsitance costs you will incur, working away from home.

Get it reviewed first. Don't get carried away with the coffee, you being the strong candidate, etc.

Its already been reviewed and its a pass but with a recommendation to amend the section regarding notice as I should be allowed to give notice and not be tied in. Is the agency likely to amend this based on a review from QDOS or will they stick to whats on the contract. Surely tying me in is a bit severe and very unfair.

[northernladuk]

Maybe they've been burnt with mercenary contractors leaving so they have a no notice contract. Barclay's introduced this after so many people were using them as a stop gap. Their own fault really but anyway, it's becoming more common.
It's not unfair or severe, it's the terms take them or leave them.

[MrMarkyMark]

Its already been reviewed and its a pass but with a recommendation to amend the section regarding notice as I should be allowed to give notice and not be tied in. Is the agency likely to amend this based on a review from QDOS or will they stick to whats on the contract. Surely tying me in is a bit severe and very unfair.

Never heard of this clause being any kind of issue, in fact some say it is an advantage.
Sometimes it's something the client wants in, rather than the agency.
As for being very unfair, don't expect anyone to really GAS.

You need to grow a pair, you are lucky you still have a contract, especially with you, taking a risk with paying for accommodation up front, imo.

[Dougie800]

Maybe they've been burnt with mercenary contractors leaving so they have a no notice contract. Barclay's introduced this after so many people were using them as a stop gap. Their own fault really but anyway, it's becoming more common.
It's not unfair or severe, it's the terms take them or leave them.

Don't agree with that. Terms can be negotiated, just because the agency lists their T's and C's doesn't mean I cannot negotiate.

[Dougie800]

Never heard of this clause being any kind of issue, in fact some say it is an advantage.
Sometimes it's something the client wants in, rather than the agency.
As for being very unfair, don't expect anyone to really GAS.

You need to grow a pair, you are lucky you still have a contract, especially with you, taking a risk with paying for accommodation up front, imo.

What do you mean `I still have a contract` obviously I do otherwise I wouldn't have paid the accommodation upfront which I only did when I was sure I had the contract in the bag...what Im paying for the accommodation upfront is probably hell of alot less than what some of you pay in a week for a dingy hotel.